World Handwashing Day: the simple habit can save lives, say experts

The World Health Organization (WHO) points out that the simple act reduces the number of contaminations by viruses and bacteria by up to 40%.

When it comes to disease prevention and control, washing your hands can be the difference between life and death. The World Health Organization (WHO) points out that the simple act reduces by up to 40% the number of contaminations by viruses and bacteria. The fact is so significant that there is even a special date to remember its importance: the World Handwashing Daycelebrated on October 15.

Infectologist and Sabin's medical consultant, Marcelo Cordeiro, says that the procedure should be part of everyone's daily routine, being fundamental to fight bacteria's resistance to antibiotics. According to the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), about 25% of infections are caused by multi-resistant micro-organisms.

"Hand hygiene eliminates viruses and bacteria that may be on the skin and cause infections in the body. It is a cheap and effective procedure to avoid the transmission of diseases and should be performed after every activity that requires touching, such as going to the bathroom or using public equipment and objects, besides, of course, being indispensable before eating," he says.

Marcelo Cordeiro also informs that a good part of the care in hospitals comes from infectious diseases that could be avoided with the simple act of washing hands. According to the specialist, "the practice would promote the saving of millions of reais for investments in other fields of public health.

Unfortunately, however, although simple and cost-free, the act is not very common among Brazilians. In 2015, a survey conducted by Ibope Inteligência, in partnership with the Worldwide Independent Network of Market Research (WIN), showed that 27% of the population does not wash their hands with soap after going to the bathroom, which is a risk for everyone who will touch the same objects as these people.

Mayara Alves, a biomedical technician and Sabin's technical coordinator, warns that the lack of hand hygiene is a risk factor for contamination by several diseases, such as hepatitis A, herpes, gastroenteritis, rotavirus, bronchiolitis, scabies, flu, chickenpox, conjunctivitis and diarrhea, among others.

A study by the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) shows that children are the biggest victims of this bad habit. According to Unicef, 41% of newborn deaths could be avoided by the simple act of cleaning the hands of the little ones. This is a warning for parents.

The right way to wash hands

The biomedical Mayara Alves says that hands should be washed following some criteria, and also with appropriate products, depending on the place and the situation.

"The hygiene can be done in a simple, but correct way. People need to wet their hands and then add the soap, rubbing the palm of each hand, the fingers, the thumb, the back and the wrists.

If they are in the public restroom, Mayara cautions against touching contaminated objects again after cleaning their hands. "It is important to turn off the faucet with paper towels and use your elbows to open and close door handles."